Kinesin-4 KIF21B limits microtubule growth to allow rapid centrosome polarization in T cells.

ABSTRACT: When a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell form an immunological synapse, rapid dynein-driven translocation of the centrosome toward the contact site leads to reorganization of microtubules and associated organelles. Currently, little is known about how the regulation of microtubule dynamics contributes to this process. Here, we show that the knockout of KIF21B, a kinesin-4 linked to autoimmune disorders, causes microtubule overgrowth and perturbs centrosome translocation. KIF21B restricts microtubule length by inducing microtubule pausing typically followed by catastrophe. Catastrophe induction with vinblastine prevented microtubule overgrowth and was sufficient to rescue centrosome polarization in KIF21B-knockout cells. Biophysical simulations showed that a relatively small number of K

SUBMITTER: Hooikaas PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7817182 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature